Top Dawgs in the NFL (Week 11)
UGASports continues its series highlighting the top NFL performances by former Georgia players for the week and entering the Monday night game(s). With our most outstanding performer for the week—or the Top Dawg—revealed towards the end, we spotlight the top NFL performances by Bulldogs from November 13 through November 16 and preview those participating in tonight’s Monday night game between the Cowboys and Raiders.
James Cook
Totaling over 100 yards (rushing + receiving) for the eighth time in his last 11 games, Cook continued his sizzling season in the Buffalo Bills’ 44-32 shootout victory yesterday over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Although limited to 48 rushing yards and 3.0 yards per carry (entered the game averaging 102 and 5.5 for the season), the fourth-year running back made three receptions for 66 yards, including a 25-yard, go-ahead touchdown late in the third quarter. For Cook, it was the first touchdown he had scored since rushing for two vs. Carolina three weeks beforehand, and his first receiving touchdown since Week 16 of last season. His 66 receiving yards were the most since totaling 83 in a win over Kansas City in Week 14 of 2023.
Matthew Stafford
Although not putting up the gaudy numbers we’re used to from the 17th-year veteran, Stafford was steady and efficient in engineering the Los Angeles Rams to a 21-19 win over the Seattle Seahawks. Improving his record to 6-0 vs. Seattle as a member of the Rams, Stafford completed 15 of 28 passes for only 130 yards, but passed for two touchdowns and no interceptions. This season, his NFL-leading 27 touchdowns are at least six more than anyone else in the league, while he has been intercepted just twice in 338 pass attempts. According to BetMGM, Stafford is the new MVP odds leader (at +150), recently leapfrogging New England quarterback Drake Maye (+200).
The TOP DAWG: Philly Dawgs
In yesterday’s nightcap, a trio of former Georgia defenders stood out in a dominating defensive performance for the Philadelphia Eagles in a 16-9 win over the Detroit Lions. Defensive tackle Jordan Davis, who earned the NBC SNF game ball for his outing, tallied a solo tackle and three batted balls. Davis now has a league-leading six batted balls this season and 10 in his four-year career.
Defensive tackle Jalen Carter totaled a season-high five tackles and had two batted balls (after having two batted balls last week in a 10-7 win over Green Bay). For his three-season career, Carter has also totaled 10 batted balls. In addition, linebacker Nakobe Dean totaled three tackles, a sack, and two quarterback hits. In four seasons in the league, Dean has made 5.5 sacks and totaled 10 quarterback hits.
Other notable performances by former Georgia players over the weekend include from running back D’Andre Swift, who rushed for 90 yards on 21 carries for the Chicago Bears in a 19-17 win yesterday over the Minnesota Vikings. Since averaging 47 rushing yards and 3.3 yards per carry in his first four games this season, Swift averaged more than 89 rushing yards and 5.7 yards per carry in his last five. Coming off the bench for the Vikings, rookie defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins made a season-high three tackles, including the second tackle for loss of his pro career (TID was fourth for Georgia last season with eight TFL).
In a 35-6 upset win over the Los Angeles Chargers, Jacksonville’s Travon Walker made four tackles, two quarterback hits, and a half-sack. For Walker, who now has 26.5 sacks in his four-year career, it was his first sack since Week 3 of this season.
Finally, we end this week’s mention of notable pro performers with maybe the best steamrolling catch-and-run you’ve ever seen… In Pittsburgh’s 34-12 win over Cincinnati, Steelers tight end Darnell Washington made four catches for 67 yards—both career-highs—including an extraordinary 31-yard long where he bulldozed through three Bengal defenders. After going the first three games of this season without a reception, Washington has made 18 catches in his last seven games.
Monday Night Football
Starting at 8:15 pm ET tonight, the lone Monday night game features the 3-5-1 Dallas Cowboys at the 2-7 Las Vegas Raiders, with the visiting Cowboys a 3.5-point favorite. Dallas has one former Georgia player on its active roster: starting wideout George Pickens, who enters the game with 764 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Las Vegas has four former Georgia players on its active roster: starters tight end Brock Bowers (32-383-3 receiving in six games) and left cornerback Eric Stokes (23 tackles), and reserves Chris Smith (No. 2 strong safety) and Zamir White (No. 4 running back).
BYE teams this week: Colts and Saints